Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand Nov 15, 2024

Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand

As twilight descends today, Chiang Mai, Thailand"s second-largest city, will come alive with thousands of glowing lanterns for Yi Peng. Held on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar, this celebration is about letting go of negativity and embracing new beginnings. The highlight of the festival is the release of "khom loi" or "khom loy"—floating paper lanterns—into the night sky, which becomes a sea of warm, golden lights. People often write their hopes and dreams on the lanterns. They gather around temples and palaces to send their wishes skyward, hoping for good fortune in the year to come.

© tampatra/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Nov 15, 2019Mesmerizing murmuration
Nov 15, 2020What’s blooming in New Zealand?
Nov 15, 2021Manatee Awareness Month
Nov 15, 2022River otters at Acadia National Park, Maine
Nov 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 17, 2024St. Patricks Day
May 24, 2022European Day of Parks
Feb 18, 2018Great horned owl near Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
Jun 26, 2024Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
Jan 15, 2021It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
Mar 5, 2020The desert blooms
Aug 3, 2018Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
Apr 13, 2019Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
Jan 1, 2021Take the plunge into 2021
Sep 16, 2019The mighty, mighty mushroom
Oct 27, 2024Polar Bear Week
Mar 10, 2022Bobbio, Italy
Jun 8, 2019Diving into World Oceans Day
Oct 27, 2023Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Feb 20, 2023Presidents Day
Jul 5, 2023Porto Timoni beach, Greece
May 3, 2019A night of art and culture
Aug 23, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
Feb 1, 2021Reflecting on Black History Month
Jul 25, 2018Splashes of color for Watercolor Month
Nov 21, 2018A showcase for future fame
Feb 13, 2024Mardi Gras
May 27, 2022Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Nov 4, 2021Diwali
Dec 18, 2020A towering view of the Pale Mountains
Aug 26, 2024Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Jan 13, 2024Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Mar 27, 2019Sweet! It’s maple syrup season
Jun 13, 2020A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
Apr 11, 2023Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon